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Transporting swarms on the motorcycle

Since the Fall I've been riding my motorcycle to work every day which saves me $200/mo in gas money. Since that's a significant savings I'd like to commute on the bike year round. In 2013 I started out with this intention but when swarm season arrived I switched back to my SUV with all my swarm catching and cutout gear in it so I could get any swarms I got calls for. I was contemplating how I could have some type of collapsible box that I could keep on the bike at all times and put a swarm in and then secure to the rear seat of my bike to take the swarm home. FYI, the rear seat does have a back rest. The trip might last 45 minutes max. I don't like to travel much farther than that to hive a swarm.

What ideas or solutions would you recommend to me so I can ride all year and safely bring home swarms on my bike when the need arises (1999 Honda Magna, for the curious)?

Re: Transporting swarms on the motorcycle

I tried picking up a swarm on my FZ1 last year and it was a disaster. The frames bounced so much because of the lack of suspension it killed allot of bees. This was a swarm trap however. If you just had a box with bees and no frames you should be ok.

Re: Transporting swarms on the motorcycle

Congratulations on ownership of the Magna bike, and for commuting with it.

IKEA and other stores have collapsible laundry baskets. IKEA has a spiral design, with a round lid, that you could secure with duct tape when you were ready to go. Covering it with a plastic garbage bag would protect the bees from dehydration by the wind. I think also I saw something similar at walmart.

Also on the internets is the "simply genius laundry hamper" which is square, for 19.00.

Re: Transporting swarms on the motorcycle

Just think it through and try a dry run with your equipment. I've been in a lot of 3rd world countries and seen whole families of five riding on one motor scooter. Not that I'm recommending it, but a little creativity can go a long ways...

Re: Transporting swarms on the motorcycle

I've considered the same on my VLX-1300. I routinely carry a 40lb bag of tools and laptop on the rear seat. Saddle bags keep the usual tie-downs, rain/cold weather gear, etc. I've considered building a small trailer for it.
I think a thin ply box with vent screens and tie downs would work for swarms. For cutouts, maybe not. You could add some frame racks inside the box.....but I like to have my vac, ladder, etc on cuts.